FUNGICIDES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 457, 16 March 1909, Page 2

FUNGICIDES.

SOME RECENT EXPERIMENTS. Farmers who arc tempted to uso sonic of tlio several forms of rcady-mado Bordeaux mixturo ivill appreciate some information as t-o their values in comparison with the Homolnado Bordeaux. The question has been investigated lately by Messrs. Woods and Hanson, of the Maino Experiment Station, who tested five dry preparations and four wet forms of Bordeaux mixture, all offered uudcr trade names. Tlicy report that tlio rcady-mado mixtures proved about as effective as home-made mixtures provided they were used in such amounts as to supply an equal amount of copper. Nono of tlio dry forms wero as efficient as the wet forms for tho late blight, and it is believed that, while tho wet forms cannot bo depended on to prevent blight unless used in stronger quantities than the directions call for, yet the dry forms wero still less effective. Mr. AV. M. Scott, of tho U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been experimenting with a, lime-sulphur mixturo for fungus destruction in placo of Bordeaux mixture, and says ho finds it "quite efficient for the control of tho ordinary leaf and fruit diseases of tho apple and poach." Tho preparation is mado by "placing lplb. of fresh lime ill a barrel, pouring over it two'or three gallons of boiling water, and immediately adding 101b. of sulphur and another bucket of hot water. Tho mixture will boil vigorously for several minutes and should be stirred and have more water added if the mass gets too thick. After tho boiling censos, which should bo in from twenty to thirty minutes, tlio mixture should be diluted with cold water to make about 50 gallons, thoroughly stirred, and strained to take out the coarso particles of lime." The preparation was used against applo bittor rot, applo blotch, apnlo scab, and loaf spot, and "found but littlo inferior to Bordeaux mixture, ajid so far without any injurious effect. As a fungicido against pcacli brown rot and scab it lias proved exceptionally favourablo, as tho amount of disease is greatly reduced, and tho corrosive effect of tlie Bordeaux mixture, resulting in a defoliation of tho trco, is avoided." Against scale and other insects tlm jimosulplrar preparation is not so cffcctivo aa the boiled mixture usually recommended, bat it can be applied without injury to tho trees at any season.